8 Important Things Sellers Should Do Before Listing

Getting your home ready for the market is a huge deal. After all, your home is likely the largest investment you have, and the outcome of your sale will have a big impact on the proceeds you have to either pocket or put towards the purchase of another home.

As important as selling your home is, it makes sense to put in the effort to ensure that your home sells quickly in order to avoid any unnecessary carrying costs. It's also helpful to get your home in proper condition in order to sell for as much money as you can to maximize profits.

That said, there are certain things you need to do in order to get your home ready for the market in order to optimize the chances of a successful sale.

1. Find a Great Agent

First things first. It's absolutely imperative that you work with an industry expert order to help you put your best foot forward when listing your home for sale. Having a real estate agent by your side can help with all of the in-depth and often complex tasks associated with selling real estate, including marketing and negotiating.

A large percentage of FSBOs end up calling a real estate agent to take over anyway, so why not start the right way and hire a seasoned real estate professional from the get-go?

2. Improve Curb Appeal

Before buyers even set foot inside your home, the first thing they'll see is your home's exterior. It's called 'curb appeal', and it's a crucial component of your home's overall appeal.

When buyers pull up to your home, they'll catch a glimpse of your front entrance, front door, driveway, lawn, and landscaping. If your home's curb appeal could use a boost, now's the time to do it. You want the first impression for buyers to be a positive one, and the best way to do that is to improve your home's curb appeal.

3. De-Clutter and De-Personalize

Don't let buyers walk into a messy, unkempt home. Instead, your job is to de-clutter your home as much as possible before you list it for sale. Put things away where they belong and keep your decor and accessories to a minimum. While you're at it, de-personalize your space. This means taking down family photos, religious artifacts, and any political decor that could potentially make it harder for buyers to see themselves living in your home.

4. Repaint Your Walls

Painting your walls in a neutral tone can help make your home more attractive to the masses of buyers out there. You'd be more likely to find more buyers who appreciate a neutral colour on the walls as opposed to something bright and eccentric like bright orange. Besides, a fresh paint job can help cover up any scuff marks and make your home look newer.

5. Make Minor Repairs

If there are little issues in your home, such as burned-out light bulbs, chipped tiles, or loose knobs, be sure to fix them before the first buyer shows up. They may be minor in nature, but you can be sure that buyers will notice them. As such, be sure to make any minor repairs before you schedule your first showing.

6. Deodourize

If there are any potentially offending smells in your home, neutralize them right away. Whether it's from pets or last night's dinner, certain smells can turn buyers off. Ask your agent if there are any smells that can be detected. If so, do some cleaning, air out the house, light some scented candles, or leave out a bowl of potpourri to help make the scent in your home much more pleasant.

7. Have Your Home Staged

It's been proven that homes that have been professionally staged sell faster and for more money compared to those that have been left alone. If you want to make the most of your home sale, you'd be well-advised to consider hiring a professional home stager to stage your home for you. By doing so, you'll be able to make your home more attractive to a larger pool of buyers.

8. Come Up With the Right Listing Price

Your agent will help you come up with an appropriate listing price according to what the market deems your home is worth. The right listing price can help ensure that your home attracts a prospective buyer without scaring buyers off with a listing price that's far too high. In fact, establishing an appropriate price is one of the most important things that go into selling real estate.

Final Thoughts

If you're in the market to sell your home, you've got a few chores to take care of first. By teaming up with an experienced real estate agent and marking certain tasks off your checklist, you can put your best foot forward and maximize the odds of a successful sale.